Gentlemen
your comments are fully understood and appreciated. I am no stranger to niche forums like this one, having been an active member of several in different fields over the years, ranging from boatbuilding to robotics and various places in between. So I understand that:
1. Forums are a gift economy community
2. forums bring together diverse people with diverse backgrounds, novices and experts.
3. there are a lot of punters who ask silly questions and expect in-depth answers
4. the advice you get is sometimes worth what you paid for it but usually a lot more.
"This approach can hardly be described as "research"."
In my defense, I did not begin my thread as a new member recently did with the question "How do you design an engine?" He expected to be ridiculed but got (mostly) helpful advice. I was impressed by the community here. I am competent in a range of engineering and design fields, but steam is a new interest for me, and it is not a casual interest. I asked what I thought was focused and precise question, about a specific aspect of the design of specific kind of engine.
I am a lifelong higher-ed teacher and academic researcher, so I know something about research process. Any student or colleague may approach me and ask advice about my field(s) of expertise, and I freely give it. Every class I teach is as distillation of 20 or 30 years experience - a concept few of my students understand.
"read some of the available literature"
I own - and have read - the Harris book (which is great), a couple by Westbury, 3 of the late lamented Lindsay reprints in his essential steam library, and numerous downloads and magazine reprints. I have had an original copy of Hawkins' New Catechism of the Steam Engine (1904) in my library for many years.
I will look out for the other books such as "any book from the first half of the 20'th century on Heat Engines, such as those by Ripper, Rankine, Low or Inchley."
" it does surprise me how resistant people are to reading"
Indeed. it is dying art. Sadly, induced in large part by the medium we are now communicating via. I have to teach my (university) students how to read. They *think* they can read but what they know how to do is skim. Even if they do deign to examine a printed page, their comprehension and recall is minimal. And, sadly, their ability to apply what they learned is also poor. We're all doomed. End of rant
" Once you have acquired some knowledge through your own efforts I, for one, will happy to discuss things. "
Charles, I already recognize your expertise and willingness to discuss.
So thanks to both and all the other helpful members of this forum. I am learning and will surely give back when I have expertise to offer.
